A recent article in Yahoo Finance describes the amount and type of candy consumption per year. What this article notes is that even though we are in a major economic recession, candy is one item that does not appear to have suffered too much in the way of sales. That could of course be due to the fact that many people all over the world eat candy to either help their nerves, or to give them more energy in order to get through these rough times. Many different parts of the globe have their own kind of sweets that may be different from our own. For example, in Asia, candies made of caramel and sesame seeds are popular, and quite delicious. I have tried such candies whenever I would go to the local international grocery store here in Tucson, where a wide variety is available. In the Middle and Near East, sugared or honey roasted nuts or seeds are a major treat. Here in the United States, candy companies like Hershey and Mars make a good profit each year, selling chocolate and other assorted confections. Below are my favorite candies of all time, in no particular order:

The Symphony Bar. Milk chocolate, smooth and delicious. It really is easy to consume one bar in a sitting while reading, watching television, or using the computer. Thank you, Hershey, for making one of the best chocolate bars in the world.

Brach's Cherry Cordial Nougats. For me, nougat candy is a major luxury, even though it is easy to find in dollar stores around town. A bag of these individually wrapped candies will last a long time, too - about a week's time.

Skittles. Manufactured by Mars Inc., these tiny gelatin candies have a sugar coating in a rainbow of flavors. On the negative side, as delicious as these candies are, they will leave a dye stain on your hand. I like the regular, and wild berry packages of this candy.

Fruit Slices. Manufactured by Boston Fruit Slices and Confectionary, these are like those sugar coated jelly candies but shaped to look like real fruit slices. My favorite flavors: strawberry and grape. These are most common around the holidays at the end of the year.

Life Savers Gummies. Manufactured by Wrigley, like the Skittles, these also come in different packages of flavors. I like the regular and berry ones the best. These make a great snack whenever some energy is needed.

Tootsie Rolls. Made by Tootsie Roll Industries, this candy is a form of chocolate that will withstand heat, but also contains other ingredients like whey and corn syrup. This candy has been around since 1896, so it is over a hundred years old. Of course, fresh
 batches are always made for sale in the stores.

Snickers. This ubiquitous candy bar, made by Mars, has peanuts, chocolate, and caramel. This is actually a substantial combination and will fill you up in between meals, provided a whole bag of these do not become your next meal.

Starburst. Also made by Mars, this comes in regular, creamy, and other forms like jelly beans, hard candies, and lollipops. These square candies are individually wrapped and can easily be thrown into your purse or jacket pocket for a pick me up.

Sugar Babies. Made by Tootsie Roll, these are small, hard caramel candies that won't melt in the heat like their sister Tootsie Roll candies. These were originally made by the James O. Welch Company in the 1930's. These are seen most frequently around Halloween, in small packets for kids.

Milky Way. Also by Mars, this chocolate, caramel, and nougat bar is a favorite with many people in America. In fact, if you mention the words Milky Way, the first thing that comes to mind is candy and not the galaxy we live in. Pick up a Milky Way and enjoy it!